A HUSBAND and wife who run a number of care homes in Essex have been charged with neglecting residents.

Daramdeo and Naliny Ramchurn have both been charged with ten counts of wilful neglect and 11 counts of fraud after a year-long police investigation.

The Colchester couple, known as David and Linda, were arrested last April at one of the care homes they owned in Cowdray Avenue, Colchester.

Their arrests came after officers executed warrants at nine properties in both Cowdray Avenue and Harwich Road in Colchester.

The arrests came after concerns had been raised about the welfare of residents, who have mental health issues, and the standards of care they were receiving at the homes which have now closed.

The Ramchurns, who live in the St Anne’s area of the town, will appear at Colchester Magistrates’ Court in July and have been released on police bail as they await the hearing.

An Essex Police spokesman said: “Two people from the town were arrested on Tuesday, April 21, 2009 after police executed search warrants at nine properties on Cowdray Avenue and Harwich Road.

“On Monday a 57-year-old woman and a 72-year-old man were both charged with 10 counts of wilful neglect and 11 counts of fraud.”

Essex County Council did have residents placed in the privately run care homes but withdrew them, and the funding for their care in 2008.

Speaking after last year’s arrests, a spokeswoman confirmed: “The welfare of service users is our top priority and we are offering Essex Police every assistance during their investigation.”